The Episcopal Diocese of Minnesota is asking its member churches to set aside a Sunday during the four-week Advent season to support a new Downtown shelter for homeless youth.

The Diocese, which represents 110 congregations, is working with Central Community Housing Trust (CCHT) and YouthLink, an organization that serves homeless and at-risk youth, on the new shelter planned for the old St. Barnabas Hospital, 920 S. 7th St.

The old hospital, founded by the Episcopalian Church in 1871, has been vacant for several decades. It is located between the Hennepin County Medical Center and the Metrodome.

Bruce Nerland, co-chair of the Bishop's committee on the project, said the church feels a strong connection to the St. Barnabas site. "It's neat that everything is coming full circle," he said.

Construction on the $7.2 million project is expected to start early next year and take about 12 months. The shelter will have 39 apartments set aside for homeless youth and another 13 for low-income working adults.

The Twin Cities has an estimated 1,000 homeless youth -- far more than the number of beds set aside for the population, according to a CCHT fact sheet. The metro area has 70 overnight shelter beds and 221 transitional housing beds for homeless teen-agers.

In an appeal to Diocese members posted on its Web site, Bishop James Jelinik writes, "During this season of hope and preparation, it is especially timely to remember those in need. Our gifts will help ensure that by the season of Advent next year, 39 homeless youth and young adults will have a place to call home."

To date, the Diocese has raised about $125,000 for the project. The Advent fund-raising effort has been underway since Dec. 8 and will last until Christmas Day, Dec. 25.

For more information visit www.ccht.org or call Ryan Winkler, one of the fund-raising organizers, at 344-1400. -- Sarah McKenzie

City panel selects developer for Guthrie area Development company David Bernard received backing from a City Council committee Dec. 2 to develop a stretch of Downtown property known as the Parcel E Liner just south of the new riverfront Guthrie Theater.

The Roseville-based David Bernard, a division of local homebuilder Rottlund Co., has proposed a $23 million, mixed-use development for the site with space for restaurants and housing.

The L-shaped Parcel E is wedged between 2nd Street and Washington Avenue South, near Chicago Avenue. The Council's Community Development committee approved granting David Bernard six-month exclusive rights to negotiate a land sale, for no less than $1.36 million.

The project envisions restaurant tenants where a Chicago Avenue extension will intersect with 2nd Street, and Chicago's current end point at Washington Avenue.

The housing development would consist of 68 condos. Prices are expected to range between $350,000 and $500,000.

Top-floor condos would feature mezzanines and roof decks. There are also plans for a 95-space, below-grade parking lot, according to the project proposal.

David Bernard was also behind Downtown's Renaissance on the River, a housing development at West River Parkway and 4th Avenue North. Another project underway is the Metropolitan Lofts at 2nd Street and Portland Avenue South.

The full Council was expected to review the proposal at its Monday, Dec. 15 meeting. -- Sarah McKenzie

Elliot Park center may get city help Elliot Park's Augustana Health Care Center and Apartments would receive $10 million in city-backed revenue bonds for refinancing and remodeling projects under a proposal moving its way through the City Council.

Augustana Chapel View Homes, Inc. has requested the credit to refinance outstanding balances on bonds issued in 1992 and 1993. The bonds would also go toward renovations on the Downtown properties.

Augustana is a 107-year-old, Christian-based housing and nursing home care provider. The Augustana campus features a 303-bed nursing home at 1007 E. 14th Street -- across from the Elliot Park recreation center.

The apartment complex at 1510 11th Ave. S. features four high-rise buildings with 377 apartments.

The Council's Community Development Committee approved the bond request at a Dec. 2 public hearing. The full Council was expected to take up the matter at its Monday, Dec. 15 meeting. -- Sarah McKenzie